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Marion City Council voted Wednesday to reduce from $750 to $450 the fee for city workers to install underground electrical service to homes and businesses.

City Administrator Doug Kjellin said the fee would still cover the city’s costs, and underground electrical service reduces problems with ice storms. The reduction will provide incentive for more people to change to underground service, he said.

The change was part of a resolution updating the city’s fee schedule. The only other change was clarifying that copies cost 50 cents for both sides of a page, rather than separately.

The council also approved paying $6,078 for preliminary work on sewer replacement in Jex Addition, including $5,000 to EBH Engineering for design work. Kjellin said he expected the city would receive a permit for the project from Kansas Department of Health and Environment in January.

In other business:

With new rates from Kansas Power Pool going into effect in January, Kjellin calculated the city would need to increase the rate for electricity to 10.7 cents per kilowatt hour to maintain the same financial status in the department. The rate currently is 10.3 cents per kilowatt hour. The council will review the proposal Jan. 7.

Council member Jerry Kline asked what the city’s arrangements were in case of a water shortage. Kjellin said Marion Reservoir wasn’t in immediate danger of having a shortage, but the city does have a plan to curtail water use and provide a backup water source.

The council approved several appointments by Mayor Mary Olson. Phyllis Kreutziger and Dale Johnson were appointed to the Cemetery Board; Ruth Herbel, Margo Yates, and Chad Gormley were appointed to the Planning Commission; Dorothy Youk was appointed to the Housing Authority; Wendy Youk was appointed to the Historical Museum Board; and Lyle Leppke and Bill Darrow were appointed to the Airport Board.

Thad L. Meierhoff is retiring as a firefighter after 31 years with Marion Fire Department, including some time as fire chief.